Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) announces its free technical vocational education and training (TVET) to farmers and fisherfolks and their families in accredited farm schools in Northern Mindanao during its launching of Program Accelerating Farm School Establishments (PAFSE) on 31 January 2017 in Cagayan de Oro City.
As part of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s 10-Point Economic Agenda to promote rural value chain development, TESDA region 10 has partnered with Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Training Institute (DA-ATI) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) region 10 to identify sites where possible farm schools can be established.
According to TESDA Regional Director Edgar A. Sales, this program will assist the promotion of sustainable Agriculture and Fishery productivity and rural development, by providing access to TVET at the countryside through the farm schools.
He added that, by allowing farm learning sites to develop course training and do the training themselves, students learn by doing through farmer to farmer practical education.
Meanwhile, Angelito Y. Quirog, PhD of DA-ATI said that there are almost 40 famr learning sites in the region. Among them are Alomah’s Place in Dahilayan Bukidnon which grows organic lettuce, Cervantes Square Foot Garden in Pagatpat Cagayan de Oro City for urban gardening, Queensland Herbs and Tourism Farm in Demologan, Bacolod Lanao del Norte, Jaya Secret Garden in Malaybalay Bukidnon, E&N Farm in Linabo Malaybalay City for coconut farming, Buhian Diversified Farm in Initao Misamis Oriental, JPL Farm Lala, Lanao del Norte, JIKA Farm, Hoyohoy Integrated Organic Farm and Tourism Park in Tangub City Misamis Occidental for Organic Native Chicken, San Roque Dairy Farm in Naawan Misamis Oriental for high value pasture grass and many others.
He also shared that they have implemented arms to farms program in conflict areas in the region. They have successfully done this through one barangay, one learning site in Mamarga Gamay, Plaridel Misamis Occidental and Kauswagan and Munai in Lanao del Norte.
DA-ATI further shared Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Financial Literacy Advocacy on Stock Market Trading to the farmers in these learning sites.
On the other hand, DAR region 10 representative Ester B. Salas shared about their Links Farm program wherein they link smallholder farmers to market and linking Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) to corporate supply chains.
In the region, she mentioned they have identified Link Farm sites in Sumilao, Impasug-ong an Malabalay City, Bukidnon, and Lagonglong and Balingasag in Misamis Oriental among others.
According to TESDA Misamis Oriental provincial director, these identified sites by DA-ATI and DAR will have to apply for accreditation at TESDA provincial offices to be given the grant to provide training to farm scholars.
He added that PAFSE aims to address food security in the nation to encourage the youth to continue or pursue farming and fishery business.
To enroll for learning site accreditation or to apply for scholarship, visit TESDA provincial offices near you or for more information, visit www.tesda.gov.ph. (JMOR/PIA10)
